Trail Map of Backpacking at Angel Island
Camping in the middle of San Francisco Bay offers a window on the region's wonders after dark.
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Overview
Moderate:
6.0 miles, Multiple days
Other Information:
Family Friendly
Overview:
Angel Island can charm the socks off a day-hiker, but it's even better by night, when the state park closes up shop and sends the tourists home.
After that, campers lucky enough to reserve one of the island's 11 sites have the place to themselves. Urban attractions ringing San Francisco Bay light up as the night darkens, creating shimmering opportunities for photographers who know their way around a time exposure. Campers are free to roam to the top of Mount Livermore or just enjoy the view from their sites.
There's no more than 2.5 miles of hiking and 300 feet of elevation gain, so it's an easy outing by backpacking standards. Campers often bring wheeled carts brimming with luxuries unheard of on deep backcountry trips.
Best time to go: September and October are optimal: the warmest, sunniest times of year on the Bay. April and May bring spring wildflowers but campsites are much more difficult to reserve. Summer months are foggy, though fog often burns off. November-February are rainiest.
More on Angel Island: EveryTrail Trips | EveryTrail Guides | EveryTrail Destinations
Tips: Call the Angel Island ranger's office at (415) 435-5390 before you start planning your trip to get the latest on fees and access to the island.
Campsites can be reserved up to seven months in advance at ReserveAmerica.com. Blocks of open dates become available on the first day of each month. Weekend dates fill up fast (often on the first day they become available) but weekdays are often open throughout the year.
Overnight parking at any of the ferry access points around the Bay Area will be very expensive. It's better to use public transportation or have somebody drop you off and pick you up.
Use extreme caution with fires and obey campsite rules to the letter. Angel Island is very dry and vulnerable to wildfires.
What to bring:
Overnight backpacking gear - tent, stove, sleeping bag/pad. (Bicycles and carts are allowed, so you can haul more).
Enough food to last your entire stay.
Flashlight or headlamp for after-dark outings.
Tripod and camera for late-night shots.
Warm clothing: it'll be cold all year, especially after dark
After that, campers lucky enough to reserve one of the island's 11 sites have the place to themselves. Urban attractions ringing San Francisco Bay light up as the night darkens, creating shimmering opportunities for photographers who know their way around a time exposure. Campers are free to roam to the top of Mount Livermore or just enjoy the view from their sites.
There's no more than 2.5 miles of hiking and 300 feet of elevation gain, so it's an easy outing by backpacking standards. Campers often bring wheeled carts brimming with luxuries unheard of on deep backcountry trips.
Best time to go: September and October are optimal: the warmest, sunniest times of year on the Bay. April and May bring spring wildflowers but campsites are much more difficult to reserve. Summer months are foggy, though fog often burns off. November-February are rainiest.
More on Angel Island: EveryTrail Trips | EveryTrail Guides | EveryTrail Destinations
Tips: Call the Angel Island ranger's office at (415) 435-5390 before you start planning your trip to get the latest on fees and access to the island.
Campsites can be reserved up to seven months in advance at ReserveAmerica.com. Blocks of open dates become available on the first day of each month. Weekend dates fill up fast (often on the first day they become available) but weekdays are often open throughout the year.
Overnight parking at any of the ferry access points around the Bay Area will be very expensive. It's better to use public transportation or have somebody drop you off and pick you up.
Use extreme caution with fires and obey campsite rules to the letter. Angel Island is very dry and vulnerable to wildfires.
What to bring:
Overnight backpacking gear - tent, stove, sleeping bag/pad. (Bicycles and carts are allowed, so you can haul more).
Enough food to last your entire stay.
Flashlight or headlamp for after-dark outings.
Tripod and camera for late-night shots.
Warm clothing: it'll be cold all year, especially after dark
Ayala Cove starting point
East Bay sites
Sunrise sites
Ridge sites
Kayak campsite
ADA campsite
POIs: numbers | icons
